My First 5K!

I finally did it.  After 3 months of the Couch to 5K program and running 2-3 times at dawn every week.  My intention was to run the San Francisco Bridge to Bridge last Sunday.  When I started the training program I registered.  It's a 7K race but there's a huge hill right in the middle, so I planned to walk that.  Well as luck would have it my son landed in the hostpital the Thursday before the race.  He had a major asthma attack.  He was there until Sunday morning. We tried to arrange care and schedules so I could still complete the race, but it wasnt' meant to be.  I wanted to be with my son and the logistics were too intense to figure out. 

I hurried up and signed up for another race this weekend.  It was called the Quadtoberfest.  ANd again it almost didn't happen.  After sleeping in the hospital for a couple nights, my back was out of whack.  It was sore the beginning of the week and then on Wednesday I woke and almost couldn't move.  Up until last night I was iffy if I should still run today.  But, I had to. If I pushed it again I'd have anbother conflict and another.  If I was going to do this, really be a runner, I had to do it. 

I woke at 6:00am for the 7:30am race.  Got dressed, ate a bagel, drank a little sports drink, water and popped some Advil.

I got to the course at 7:00am.  No one was there.  About 7:10 another runner showed.  Still no site of the organizers.  And no bathroom!  Finally around 7:15 the organizers showed.  This was definaitely a more casual race.  About 3 others showed for the 5K.  A handful for the half and marathon.  In my group was another first timer, a younger girl, two children and their dad.  It actually felt nice to have a small group and no pressure. 

Off we went.  Being the newbie I am, I had my car key in one hand, my iPhone in the other.   The first mile was pretty good and my Nike + app said I was clocking an 8:57 mile.  Which is the best I've ever ran.  Mile 2 seemed more difficult as some was uphill.  I had to slow to a walk for about 15-30 secs to catch my breath.  I rounded the bend and was set on mile 3.  Again, one more pause for about 15 secs walking.  Then on to the finish.  My time came in at 28:09.  Not bad!!

It felt great to finish.  And wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I felt amazing after and am excited to sign-up for my next one!  I did it!

Slick Fit: New Shoes

Typically this post would be about some killer heels or sweet sandals.  Not this time.  With my new running kick, it's about running shoes.  I went on Sunday and got a pair of Mizunos. They're slick.  I got up at 6am on Monday and did day 2 of my training program.  I'm on my way.  Tomorrow is day 3!

Slick Fit: Run Jane Run

I've always been a casual exerciser.  I've been a member to several gyms.  Own a bike.  Some hand weights.  A sports bra.  But I never really got into one sport.  Not to the point of really getting fit.  After two kids and a sore neck and back, I feel it's time.  Time.  That's my issue.  I just don't have time.  I'll say that I'll go to the gym, but that never seems to happen.  How, when you work full time and have two kids 5 and under, do you fit it in?  A yoga studio opened recently in my building.  I started going here and there at lunch.  But that still takes a good 1hr and a half.  And sometimes I just can't take that much time out of my work day.  So, the next best time is mornings.  Before the rest of the house gets up.

Now don't get me wrong.  I love to sleep.  I mean really love to sleep.  But if I was going to get serious, I had to make some sacrifices.  Ok, that was the first step.  The next was finding something that I could do in the mornings.  A DVD?  Fit TV?  Just not motivating enough for me.  So, I looked to running.  This thing I've tried numerous times to do in the past, but just never got past the first block or two.  I decided I had to give it another try.  For several reasons:
1. It's an individual sport.  I don't need anyone else to do it with me.
2. It's cheap.  Just a good pair of shoes and I'm set.
3. You get a really good work out. 
4. You can do it anywhere. 

Done.  I'm sold.  

Next step was to have a goal.  I signed up for a 5K in my hood.  It's in two months.  Lastly, I bought the Couch to 5K app for my phone, joined the forums and I'm on my way.   New shoes and all!  I plan to track my progress here.  Wish me luck!

Slick Ad: +50 models

American Apparel has a new model.  And she's not a slinky teen.  Thoughts? Photo courtesy of Refinery29

Slick buys: Cooler/Messenger Bag

In true hipster fashion, Timbuk2 has released a cooler on the go type bag.  The special edition ltd-ed Dolores Munchen Chiller Messenger is touted for slinging beers to the park, but I can totally see this as a picnic bag for snacks, cheese, wine and other yummy things.

Pretty slick. 

Slick Fashion: Modernism

Thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, sfgirlbythebay.com, I found this amazing spread by Harper's Bazaar. It's the perfect mix of fashion and modern home design. Now if I have the money to buy that Prada coat...

Bricks vs Internet

Online shopping has become so big in my life that when I walk into a real store, it feels strange. Having a family, new home and full time job makes my free time very spare. I actually had about 2 hours the other night and decided to use a gift card I had from Anthropologie. One of my favorites. It was fun to walk around the racks of clothes.

But, I'm hooked on all these deal sites now. Gilt, Ideeli, Hautelook, Fab, Zuilley... the list goes on and fills my inbox everyday. I think I'm obsessed. It's not like I'm buying much, but the "window" shopping it great. What's your favorite deal site?

Slick Fashion: Bag!

I want this bag.

Need to remember these things

This sign is so true. I need to have this posted on my desk and keep glancing at it when I feel down about something.

Slick Home: Custom Signs

I love these custom signs by Three Potato Four. Time to save up for a cool sign for the house.

Almost a year since my last post

Yes, I have neglected this blog. I had many high hopes of what it could be. Then came along a new baby, a new job, a new home and the time I wanted to put into a "side" project was non-existent. I am now planning to return to this blog in some shape or form. The baby is now sleeping until 6AM! It will mainly be musings or posts about what I find interesting or stylish or just SLICK.

Today I am brainstorming ideas for the kids room. We moved into our new home in April. To catch you up, we found a great 4 bedroom home In. The. City. Yes, we managed to stay in the city we love. The first few months have been full of unpacking, decorating, pantry building, baby-proofing (Super D is crawling like a MF), cleaning, weeding, watering (yes we have a BACKYARD), garage organizing...the list doesn't end and neither will the work on the house. Thanks to my husband for taking on most of the "man" projects while I tend to the "women" duties like feeding the baby.

We're finally at a point where we can focus on the little elements that will make the place function more smoothly rather than just be livable. Mind you, we moved into a brand new remodeled home. But since no one had lived in it since the remodel there are plenty of little things that needed to be done. Hooks for towels, pantry shelving...you know the things that you can overlook if there's no "stuff" in a place.

We also spent a good wad of cash on some new furnishings. We bought an awesome new dining table from CB2. Complete with unfinished wood from Indian railroads. The chairs took us a little longer. We didn't want to spend $$$ on chairs so to IKEA, for the tenth time, we went.



Only if we had that kitchen!

We also decided to get a new bed and bed frame. This came along with a lot of measuring and contemplating as we wanted a king size, but were afraid it would just be too big for our master room. We pulled the switch and went for it. 3 months later the bed frame from West Elm still hasn't' arrived, so we sleep on this wonderful Keetsa mattress on the ground.



So many more things to write about with the move, the boys and just silly stuff. Glad to be back in some capacity.

New Obsession

Lately I've been obsessed with the discount designer and coupon sites that are sprouting up all over. I subscribe to at least 5. There's the hyper local sites like Groupon that give everyday deals like 50% of a massage or $10 off a local restaurant. Then there's the sample sale sites like Gilt that give deep discounts on great clothes, shoes, bags. Here's a list of my go to sites:

Swirl by Daily Candy

Gilt Group

Zulily ( for children)

Plum District

Groupon

They're all email subscription based and a great past time for those shoppers out there. But don't steal my deal!

Appointments are my life

Last Friday I had my OB appointment and my doctor said I was measuring big. No. Really? I've gotten so huge I think I weigh more than my husband. The "measuring big" thing didn't surprise me. Also, Maddox was 9lbs 4oz at birth so I knew this next one would be just as big. She scheduled me for an ultrasound on Monday. Luckily with Maddox's tonsil surgery...oh did I mention he goes in for surgery on Tuesday?...I already had the day off to take him to his pre-op appointment. The ultrasound proved that I'm big. How many people have to tell me that?? It also showed that I have extra amniotic fluid and that the umbilical cord is expanded. This is all resulting in twice weekly non-stress tests and another US in three weeks. And this is on top of my bi-weekly OB appointments. I'll be living in the doctor's office. Oh and on top of all this I hurt my foot. Not sure how. I can barely walk on it. So, I have an appointment tomorrow with my primary care doctor to take a look at it. Please don't put me in a cast!

To be happy

There's been several responses to the NY Mag article that came out last week regarding parents not being happy. I have to say what made me unhappy was reading this article. Kids or no kids, life has it's ups and downs. Everyone makes sacrifices. Not just parents. Your life is what you make it. There's going to be great highs and low lows. But for me, not to have children, just to be able to go to an occasional rock concert on a whim is not my idea of happiness. Seeing my son's first smile or watching him grow into a little man is.

Look of the week- Summer in San Francisco

I think being fashionable when pregnant takes effort. I try my best and long for the days when I could just buy the new summer styles on a whim, but being 7 months pregnant has it's challenges. Pants will never fit right and the maternity stores out there sell real dreadful designs. I managed to come up with a pretty decent wardrobe that consists of maxi dresses, skinny jeans and a few non-maternity tops that still fit over my growing bump.

Here's one look that I came up with:

This is mostly non-maternity wear. The white tuxedo jacket is from H&M, the top is from Diesel, pants from Motherhood Maternity, hat from Nordstrom and shoes are miz mooz.

Send me your favorite look, whether your pregnant or a veteran mom, I'd like to see some fashionable moms!

Sell! Buy!

There never seems to be a dull moment in the life of us. Whenever I think we've hit a pace of tranquility another bulldozer comes through and rocks the foundation. Ok, well maybe not a bulldozer, but a remote control monster truck for sure.

Before we left on our two week trip to Italia we decide to put our condo on the market. Yes, me 7 months pregnant with a 3 year old, full time job, hard working husband and leaving for two weeks. We scrambled to get the place in "showing" order and off we went leaving our real estate agent the keys and our best wished. After the second showing we got an email saying that we received an offer. Wow! That was quick. The offer...too low. We countered, they countered, we countered again. All while relaxing with a bowl of pasta in 1000 year old towns. When we arrived back the counter offer was still on the table. Our agent then emailed saying it's done! They accepted! Off to the Internet I trudged to look for a new abode. Two hours later, "oh no wait, I was misinformed. sorry" So no, they didn't accept.

Two days later the bidders are back and wanting another look. They're coming by tonight and thank god I hid the dirty underwear. So, maybe by tomorrow we will have an offer on the table again.

Amidst the selling of the condo, Maddox is going in for a tonsillectomy in a month. Poor bugger. And he's getting a new brother in 3 months, and he's changing classrooms at school. Should I get a therapist for him now?

Wish us luck on the sale.

Quattro Giorni

Four days and we'll be on a flight to Italy. It's currently 80 degrees in Rome. We also decided, since we don't have enough going on, to put our condo on the market. We knew we'd be moving once we have a second child, but we met with a great realtor and he convinced us to start open house while we are away. It will help with the intrusion it becomes. In best case scenario we may sell our place before we even return from Europe. So, 6 months pregnant, trip to Europe and selling a house. This will be an exciting few months. It will also be bittersweet. If our place sells, I'll be a bit sad for a while. This is our first place together. Where we lived when we got married, where we raised Maddox for the past three years. Lots of memories.

On a baby note, we decided on a name for boy #2. Sacha and I have been pouring over names and nothing really struck us or if it did the other didn't like it. Finally today we decided. I'll let it slip later, in case we change our minds again, but it's definitely a relief knowing we agree on at least one name!

Hair, glorious hair

Maddox: " I like your haircut, Mommy" ( I didn't get a haircut, I just took it out of the bun it was in all day so it was kinky and wavy)

Me: "Thank you, baby"

Maddox: "It's pretty", "You look like girl"

Thanks.

My boy

Maddox continues to amaze us everyday. He's growing so fast now and learning so much. The things he says. The looks he gives. The little man he's growing to be. My heart is full of love every time I look at him. He is truly a sweet loving child. He now says "I love you, mommy" out of the blue. He gives random hugs to dad. For the past week he's been crawling into bed with us just before our alarms go off, just to cuddle. I am cherishing this time with him now, before number 2 comes. Pretty soon it won't be just the three of us. This time is special.

Tre Settimane

We have planning a trip to Italy for months now and it's three weeks away. The scope of the trip is to travel to Rome for four days and then to Tuscany for 12 days. The latter half of the Tuscany portion will be spent with my husband's family in an 18 person villa.

Traveling to Italy with a 3.5 year old and being 6 months pregnant will be interesting. But not impossible. My attitude is to take things in stride, take it slow and not expect to see everything. Of course the whole purpose of a vacation is to relax, so I'm looking forward to the relaxing part.

Here is the list of hotels/villas we'll be staying at:

Rome- 4 days

Hotel Capo d-Africa
via Capo d'Africa 54, 00184 Rome, Italy



The reason we chose this hotel is that it is right near the Colesuem and the blurb they had about child guests:
We pamper children providing a welcome gift
upon arrival, babysitting with 24 hour
notice, child-size bathrobes, children’s
amenities, colouring books and
crayons, bedtime milk & cookies,
assistance for family oriented activities
and much more!

Tuscany- 4 days
Hotel Tenuta di Ricavo
I 53011 Castellina in Chianti
Siena - Toscana - Italy



The reason we went with this spot was, well...the pictures were amazing. And it has two pools!

Finally we'll be at this amazing villa for 7 days.

Sole del Chianti
Via Bonazza, 8
50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (Firenze) Tuscany



Just look at the picture. I think it says it all.

We are excited. I was explaining to Maddox about Gelato yesterday. I don't believe he got that it is ice cream, but he will, oh he will.

More to come!